The Bluegrass Ball

March 10th & 11th at The Abbey Pub – Chicago, IL
March 12th & 13th at The Old Rock House – St. Louis, MO

Chances are if you’ve been to a bluegrass festival, the memories most prevalent in your mind are not so much that of the “scheduled” performers but more of the impromptu jams and unscheduled collaborations. It’s with that spirit that the McCoury family decided to embark on a traveling bluegrass festival that they are calling The Bluegrass Ball.

Ask most string musicians young or old and they will mostly likely tell you that sharing a stage with the McCourys is at or near the top of their list…if they have not already. The McCourys are known for not only their ability to play with just about anyone but also for actually doing it! Anyone who has attended the McCourys’ highly acclaimed DelFest can tell you that the McCourys are on stage all throughout the day and night playing with many of the bands in attendance. These jams are what make DelFest unique, and The Bluegrass Ball will be akin to the epic late night jams that have become a DelFest highlight.

Along for the ride over 4 nights in both Chicago and St. Louis are mandolin player extraordinaire Jeff Austin (Yonder Mountain String Band), Drew Emmitt (Leftover Salmon and Emmitt-Nershi Band), and bluegrass up and comers Head for the Hills. With this particular line up there are sure to be some phenomenal collaborations and each show will certainly be unique from the next!

The Travelin’ McCourys

The Travelin’ McCourys do not stand still. They are on the road--and online--entertaining audiences with live shows that include some of the best musicians and singers from all genres. It’s always different, always exciting, and always great music. No other band today has the same credentials for playing traditional and progressive music. As the sons of bluegrass legend Del McCoury, Ronnie McCoury on mandolin and Rob McCoury on banjo continue their father’s work-a lifelong dedication to the power of bluegrass music to bring joy into people’s lives. And with fiddler Jason Carter and bassist Alan Bartram, the ensemble is loved and respected by the bluegrass faithful. But the band is now combining their sound with others to make something fresh and rejuvenated.

Jeff Austin

Jeff Austin is best known for his many years playing mandolin for Colorado heavy hitters, Yonder Mountain String Band. Yonder has always played by their own set of rules bending bluegrass, rock and roll, and countless other influences. While most known for his playing with Yonder Mountain String Band, Jeff has played with countless musicians and is sought after by countless musicians and festivals alike.

Drew Emmitt

Revered as one of the most energetic and innovative mandolin players on the jamband/newgrass scene today, Emmitt’s “inestimable talents” (An Honest Tune) don’t end with just the instruments that can be picked. Holding the wheel steady on acoustic and electric slide mandolin, acoustic and electric guitar and mandola Emmitt also showcases on recent solo albums superlative storytelling and versatile vocal abilities. Drew Emmitt is best known for his over 20 years with Leftover Salmon and also the past few years with The Emmitt-Nershi Band

Head For the Hills

Rooted in the tradition of bluegrass, the music of Head for the Hills is a vibrant mixture of homegrown compositions, traditional harmonies, and an innovative approach to improvisation. The groups’ lyrical nature and songwriting seems to evoke reminiscent feelings of inspiration. In the live setting, Head for the Hills can venture into the myriad of musical styles and sonic landscapes that caters to a boundless array of listeners.

Who: The Bluegrass Ball featuring The Travelin’ McCourys, Jeff Austin, Drew Emmitt and Head for the Hills

Where: March 10th & 11th at The Abbey Pub – Chicago, IL
March 12th & 13th at The Old Rock House – St. Louis, MO